G'day everyone and welcome to another episode of Not The Farmer's Wife. , recording on my own today. The handy helper has got some chores that he's doing around the farm so I've, , sent him on his way to do those. , but also too we have set up a different background here. As you can see my desk has moved and, , I am now facing a different direction in our lounge room. We live in a tiny house so, for those that don't know it's literally, we're probably about the size of most people's...

Why You Should Start Raising Your Own Meat Chickens Today" Discussion on the benefits of raising meat chickens, including health, cost savings, and self-sufficiency. "From Egg to Plate: Why Pasture-Raised Chickens Are Worth the Effort" The difference in quality between store-bought and home-raised chicken. "5 Surprising Health Benefits of Homegrown Chicken Meat" Focus on how pasture-raised chickens contribute to better health. "Cost Breakdown: Is Raising Meat Chickens Cheaper Than...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed significant changes to the U.S. food industry, including banning harmful additives, promoting sustainable farming, and overhauling nutrition guidelines. These changes align closely with homesteading values such as transparency, sustainability, and consumer health. While these reforms could support healthier food systems, their success will depend on public acceptance and successful implementation. What is SAD? The Standard American Diet (SAD) is often...

Podcast Show Notes: Off-Grid Water Systems   Introduction to Off-Grid Water Systems - Overview of off-grid water systems for homesteads or small farms - Importance of sustainable water management for self-sufficiency   Annual Water Usage for a Family of 4 - With conservative water use, a family of four can consume between 150,000 to 220,000 litres (40,000 to 58,000 gallons) per year, or 400 to 600 litres per day.   Choosing the Right Water Source - Rainwater Tanks: Benefits of...

Hospital Food  Is it making you sick. While many hospitals are beginning to recognise the importance of providing nutritious food to support patient recovery, the transition away from processed options like bread and cereals can be complex. Increased advocacy for better food quality, education around nutrition, and the adoption of innovative food service practices can help facilitate this change over time. Great Podcast -...

Farmers vs Supermarkets  Why You Should Shop Direct   The relationship between farmers and supermarkets is often unbalanced, with large retail chains exerting immense pressure on farmers to lower their prices. While this benefits the supermarkets and consumers who seek the lowest possible prices, it often comes at the expense of the farmers’ livelihoods. In this post, we explore how farmers are being squeezed by supermarkets and why supporting local farmers or shopping at farmers' markets...

G'day everyone and welcome to another episode of Not The Farmer's Wife, Episode 86 this week. And we're talking all about self-sufficiency and we're also trialing something new. I've got the handy helper here with me. Say Hello. Hello. I'm here today because it's pouring rain outside and I don't want to do any work. It's been actually really raining quite hard here at the moment, which is a good thing because we have, as you would know if you're a regular listener, we have a hundred and ten...

Beginner Homesteading: How to Start Your Journey   Easy First Steps for Beginner Homesteaders   Start Small and Simple   Begin with small projects that fit your current lifestyle, such as growing herbs, composting kitchen scraps, or raising a few backyard chickens. These manageable steps will build your confidence.   Understand Your "Why"   Define why you want to homestead. Is it for healthier food, self-sufficiency, or a deeper connection to nature? Knowing your motivation keeps you...

Buying Rural Land If you’re dreaming of a self-sustainable lifestyle and planning to buy rural land for a homestead or small farm, you’re not alone. First-time rural buyers often feel excited yet overwhelmed by the process, especially if they've never lived outside a city or suburban area before. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to consider when buying rural land, covering everything from finances to essential infrastructure and farming needs.   Understanding the Financial Side of...

Introduction  Episode 83 Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) play a crucial role on small farms and homesteads by protecting valuable livestock from predators. In this episode, we’ll break down the essentials of LGDs for beginners—everything from choosing the right breed to caring for your new farm guardian. Whether you're worried about foxes, hawks, or stray dogs, LGDs can be your first line of defence.   What Are Livestock Guardian Dogs?   LGDs are a specific group of dogs bred for centuries...

Milking Goats for Homesteaders  Earlier episode - Why Drink Raw Milk https://www.mojohomestead.net/podcasts/not-the-farmers-wife-2/episodes/2148160617   Introduction     - Brief welcome and introduction of the podcast.    - Share a personal story or common experience of homesteading families considering goats.    - Overview of the podcast: focusing on milking goats in Australia and the USA, why goats are great for small-acreage farmers, and the benefits of raw goat milk (health,...

Goat Breeds for Homesteaders  Introduction - Why Goats?     - Goats are versatile animals that can provide meat, milk, and fibre.   - They are relatively low-maintenance and adaptable, making them a popular choice for homesteaders.   - Overview of the three main categories of goat breeds: meat, milk, and fibre.   Meat Goat Breeds    - Purpose: Raised primarily for their meat, these breeds are typically hardy and efficient converters of feed into body mass.   Boer (bow-uh or...

The Doe Code Episode 80   "The Doe Code" is a lighthearted and humorous interpretation of the behaviours exhibited by goats, particularly mother goats, as they approach labour and delivery. Although it's not an official or scientific guide, it provides an amusing take on the quirks and unpredictabilities of goats during this time.   Many goat owners believe that this secret code is passed down from nanny to doe daughter and is strictly adhered to no matter how good the relationship with...

Meat Birds Kill Cones - https://amzn.to/4fUYt9N Butchers Aprons that we use - https://amzn.to/3SXujZp Rubber Fingers for Plucker - https://amzn.to/4cwIwnk Butcher Knife that we use - https://amzn.to/46VIFzd  Raising chickens as meat birds, also known as broilers, requires careful planning and attention from day-old chicks to processing. Here’s a comprehensive list of everything a homesteader needs to consider:    Choosing the Right Breed    - Broiler Breeds: Select a breed known for...

Holidaying with Chickens If you’re a chicken owner planning to go away for a weekend, you need to ensure your chickens are well-cared for during your absence. Here’s a complete list of considerations:    Feeding    - Automatic Feeder: Invest in an automatic feeder that can hold enough feed for the duration of your absence. Ensure it’s filled with enough feed for the weekend.    - Feed Supply: Double-check the feed supply to make sure there’s more than enough to cover the time you’ll be...

Raising Day Old Chicks    Housing & Space Requirements    - Brooder Setup: A brooder is a warm, enclosed space where the chicks will live for the first few weeks. It can be a large plastic bin, a wooden box, or a designated area within a coop.    - Size: Ensure the brooder is large enough for the chicks to move around freely. Approximately 0.05 square meters (0.5 square feet) per chick to start, expanding as they grow.    - Ventilation: Adequate ventilation is crucial to prevent...

Chicken Feed E76 Waitlist www.mojohomestead.net/waitlist  Are you interested in a meat bird course? Let me know The best diet for backyard or pasture-raised chickens should be well-balanced and nutritionally complete to ensure optimal health, egg production, and overall well-being. Here are the key components of an ideal diet: High-Quality Commercial Feed - Starter Feed: Provide a high-protein starter feed for chicks up to 6 weeks old (18-20% protein). - Grower Feed: For pullets (young...

Egg Truth Episode 75  Join the waitlist www.mojohomestead.net/waitlist Super Size Me 2 : Holy Chicken https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7215262/   The Truth about Free-Range Eggs The terms "barn-raised," "free-range," and "pasture-raised" refer to different methods of housing and raising chickens for egg production. Here's a breakdown of each: Barn-Raised Eggs - Housing: Chickens are kept indoors in a barn or poultry house without access to the outside. - Space: They have more space than...

Avian Flu - Episode 74 On 22 May 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of a laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus (clade 2.3.2.1a) by the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) of Australia. This is the first confirmed human infection caused by avian influenza A(H5N1) virus detected and reported by Australia. In 2024, Australia experienced significant challenges with avian influenza, primarily involving...

Supermarket-free lifestyle - Episode 73 Don't forget to join the waitlist www.mojohomestead.net/waitlist to get all the information about our upcoming course. Buying Direct Meat from a farmer https://halfacow.farm/   Growing Food Vegetable Garden:    - Grow a variety of vegetables and herbs.    - Use techniques like crop rotation and companion planting to maximize yield.    Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes:    - Plant apple, pear, peach, and other fruit trees.    - Grow berry bushes...

Episode 72 - Spring Livestock Planning https://www.mojohomestead.net/waitlist Shelter Maintenance: Ensure Animal Shelters are Weatherproof and Warm Building the Perfect Shelter: Essential Features for All Seasons    - The basics of constructing a durable and weatherproof animal shelter, focusing on materials, design, and placement to ensure protection from the elements.    - Tips for insulation and ventilation to keep shelters warm in winter and cool in summer. Winterising Your Animal...

Planning Your Spring Garden If you're new to homesteading, and maybe gardening too, but eager to get a jump on your spring garden, let me try to help. For me, winter is the perfect time to plan and prepare, sitting in from on the fire, glass of something in hand, ensuring my garden is full of wonderful crops come spring. What can we do while it's still too cold to grow outside? Assess Your Space First things first, let’s take a good look at your available garden space. - Evaluate...

90-day planning for July - Aug - Sept The link I mentioned is for Seedtime, the below link is an affiliate link (I'll get free seeds) https://seedtime.us/jkmel4ukl4tonac09iap-5fs?ref=cj-steedman24 July Garden Preparation: - Soil Testing: Test soil pH and nutrients, adding lime or compost as needed. - Seedlings: Start cool-season crops like garlic, onions, leeks, and broccoli indoors. - Pruning: Prune dormant fruit trees and berry bushes. Livestock Care: - Shelter Maintenance: Ensure...

E 69 - Winter Livestock Feeding Link to Allan Savory TEDx talk Nutrient-Rich Winter Forage Options    - Growing and preserving nutrient-dense forages like hay, silage (with higher moisture content), and food scraps, etc.   Supplementing Livestock Diets with Homegrown Feed    - Incorporating farm-grown grains, legumes (beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils), and byproducts (cuttings) into winter feed. Note: Horses should not consume cuttings, but cows, goats, sheep, and chickens...